Mr. Burl Jennings Thomas

Burl Jennings Thomas, 85, affectionately known as BJ, (not to be confused with the singer, a long running family joke), went home to be with the Lord at the Gordon Hospice House on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Born March 29, 1935 in Nicholas County, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Brady John Thomas and Edna Robinson Thomas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings: Bonnie, Nelson, Junior and Gene. He was also preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Sandra.
Surviving are children: Cammie, Ashleigh, Yvette and Brett and brothers, Jim and Jerry. Three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
BJ joined the Marine Corps in 1952. He was in the Korean War and spent two tours in Vietnam in various engineering battalions. He participated in the initial landing in Vietnam. He spent a tour as a Marine recruiter for the western part of N.C. He retired from the Marine Corps and worked in Civil Service as a Heavy Equipment Operator and Crane Inspector. BJ retired a second time working from the same building that he ran while an active duty Marine.
Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at the National Cemetery in Salisbury, N.C. with full military honors.
Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com . Memorials may be given to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, N.C. 28625. Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.